Las Flores

Cocktails

Dec 13

This month’s cocktail challenge: Children’s Books! Yes, I’m creating cocktails that are inspired by, and pair well with children’s books. I know it sounds strange but I think I might be onto something....

Las Flores

Some days feel hard… don’t they? Seems like every day, lately, has brought with it a new and seemingly impossible challenge, a new variant, a climate-related tragedy, an impossible workload, some home-related catastrophe. I find myself running from crisis to crisis, trying to de-escalate and resolve and repair. It’s happening at work with clients and coworkers, at home with the kids and animals, and sometimes with friends and family who are similarly plagued by crises. Tonight I found myself wishing we could all just calm the fuck down and be more like Ferdinand. He wouldn’t fight and be fierce, no matter what. He just sat there, and smelled the flowers. This bull is Zen AF and must have an incredible therapist, and a daily meditation practice. I bet he teaches yoga classes under that cork tree on Tuesdays.

I’m calling this clever cocktail Las Flores (the flowers in Spanish). It’s a refreshing floral bouquet for your nose and mouth, and it’s simplicity (tequila, elderflower liqueur, lime) will help you remember to just sit there, just for a second, and smell the flowers. The sprig of Hot Lips, one of my favorite Salvias, is a beautiful garnish and adds a delightful and refreshing hint of mint and fresh herbs. Take a deep breath, and slowly exhale.

We’re all running a little too fast right now and while a cocktail won’t clear your schedule, or get your kid to brush their teeth, it might help you stop long enough to (smell the flowers) be grateful for all the small things that make life worth living. We’re gonna make it. You’re gonna make it. And in the meantime, make cocktails.

Ingredients (makes 1 cocktail)

1.5oz tequila (Espolon!)
.75oz elderflower liqueur (St. Germain)
.5oz lime juice (Santa Cruz Organic @santacruzorganic 100% Pure Lime Juice)
Hot Lips flower for garnish, could substitute sage and mint but the flower really makes this one!
Pink Himalayan salt
Lime to salt the rim
Ice

Instructions

Use a lime wedge to wet the rim of your cup, and roll the rim in a bed of chunky pink Himalayan salt
Add ice and all liquid ingredients to the shaker
Shake vigorously
Poor into a fancy cup, over ice
Garnish: sprig of Hot Lips

This drink was inspired by, and pairs well with The Story of Ferdinand, written by Munro Leaf and illustrated by Robert Lawson. This book was originally published in 1936. My kids absolutely love the cartoon version that won an Academy Award for Best Animated Short in 1938.